Increased demands quickly emptying Westport food pantry shelves

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, February 23, 2009

To the Editor:

I write this letter after taking a tour through the food pantry at the Gillespie Center in Westport, something I suggest we all do at some point. A year ago the shelves were full despite dispensing an average of 130 bags per month to families in need. Things have changed and they are in need.

In 2008, the food pantry saw a 33 percent increase in pantry requests. The shelves are running bare. This is not a sob story; just a statement of fact. This letter is not meant to make you feel bad but let the people know that the current generous donations from surrounding towns are not keeping up with the increased demand.

In addition to the need for food, the Feinstein Foundation has challenged the food pantry to gain new donations both of food and cash. They will provide a proportional match for every dollar raised in March and April, and they value each can or box given to the food pantry at $1 towards the match.

The food pantry needs items like peanut butter and spaghetti sauce, tuna helper and a whole host of simple items to help families stretch their budgets and feed their families. Call MaryEllen at (203) 226.1191 ext. 2 and she'll let you know what's needed.

Not one bag of groceries has gone to a Wilton family. We are all fortunate ... but our surrounding community needs us right now. I just thought I'd make you aware of something I did not know existed a few months ago. The food pantry at 45 Jesup Road in Westport distributes food to anyone who asks regardless of town of origin. Your generosity enables it to give freely.

The food pantry is run by Interfaith Housing Association (Homes With Hope) at the Gillespie Center and emergency housing shelter for men, right in the middle of Westport. They have a community kitchen which serves more than 30,000 meals a year. Homes with Hope also provides a myriad of other services for the homeless and needy such as emergency housing and shelter for women and single mother families and services to help people get back on their feet ... but this is about the food pantry. Thank you.